Decking tool

ABSTRACT

A decking tool is disclosed which has a tool body ( 12 ) having side edges ( 12   b ). A detachable spacer bar ( 310 ) having spacer plates ( 25 ) is removably connected to the body ( 12 ) by holes ( 311 ) and stems ( 305 ) and wing nuts ( 306 ). The spacer plates ( 25 ) have parallel side edges ( 320 ) and tapering surfaces ( 321 ) for location between decking boards to space the decking boards apart. The spacer plates ( 25 ) are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the decking boards. The spacer bar ( 310 ) can be replaced by another spacer bar which has plates for different spacing to suit different sized decking boards. One of the edges ( 12   b ) forms a guide for a nail gun to facilitate nailing of the decking boards to floor joists.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Application2003906239 filed 13 Nov. 2003, U.S. Provisional Application 60/527,805filed 8 Dec. 2003, and Australian Provisional Application 2004904030filed 21 Jul. 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a decking tool for assisting in the buildingof a decking such as a verandah or like structure in which spaced apartdecking boards are provided. However, it should be understood that thereference to decking in this specification also includes vertical wallsformed from spaced apart boards, as well as horizontal deckings such asverandahs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, deckings generally comprise a building structureformed from a number of support posts on which bearers are laid. Joistsare then attached to the bearers and decking boards are nailed orotherwise fastened to the joists in order to complete the decking.Generally, the most time consuming part of building a decking is thelaying of the decking boards because this requires the boards to be laidout, spaced and then nailed in place.

However, in some instances, decking boards are laid directly on bearerswithout joists, particularly if space is minimal. Thus, it should beunderstood that in this specification, the word joist is used to referto the frame members upon which the decking boards are laid andconnected.

Typically, the decking is formed by fixing a first decking board on thejoists, which is positioned by use of a string line or other datum. Thedecking board is fixed in place by nails or screws. Usually, a number ofboards laid end to end in a row are fixed to form a first row of thedecking boards. A second row is then laid in position and is spaced fromthe first row by a handheld spacer, which can typically comprise a pieceof wood which is sawn off as an off-cut, and which has the desiredthickness to space the decking boards apart by the desired spacingwhich, in most applications, is a distance of about 5 mm. After theboards have been spaced by means of the spacer elements, the boards arethen individually nailed in place.

The need to individually space the boards in this manner, and then tonail the boards in place is time consuming and takes up most of the timein the formation of a decking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a decking tool whichassists in the formation of a decking to reduce the time required toform the decking.

The invention in a first aspect may be said to reside in a decking toolcomprising:

-   -   a tool body for location on a plurality of laid decking boards;    -   a plurality of spacer elements extending from the body for        location between adjacent decking boards of the laid decking        boards, the spacer elements having a predetermined size to space        the boards apart from one another by a distance corresponding to        said predetermined size, and adjacent spacer elements being        spaced from one another by a distance corresponding to the width        of the decking boards; and    -   the tool body having a front edge and an abutment member spaced        from the front edge for abutting the joist to thereby locate the        front edge over the decking boards and the joist to form a guide        for the location of fasteners to secure the decking boards to        the joist.

Thus, according to the invention, a plurality of the boards can be laidin place and are then automatically spaced by the tool by locating thespacer elements between adjacent boards and pushing the boards hard upagainst the respective spacer elements.

Thus, since the plurality of boards are automatically spaced by thespacer elements, the boards can be secured in place much quicker thanaccording to conventional techniques, thereby reducing the time taken toform the decking.

Since this aspect of the invention provides a guide for the location ofthe fasteners, the fasteners can be secured through the boards and intothe joists in a straight line much quicker than in the past, andtherefore the time taken to form the decking is further reduced.

Preferably the abutment member comprises a leading edge of at least oneof the spacer elements.

Most preferably the abutment member comprises a leading edge of aplurality of the spacer elements.

In other embodiments of the invention, the leading edge of all of thespacer elements are in alignment and spaced from the front edge of thetool body by the second predetermined distance so that the leading edgeof all of the spacer elements forms the abutment member.

Preferably the tool includes a removal spacer plate which is selectivelyconnected to the tool body so as to form a front edge of the tool bodywhich is spaced from the abutment member by a first distance when theremovable plate is attached to the tool body, and the tool body having afront edge which is spaced from the abutment member by a second distancewhen the removable plate is removed from the tool body.

Preferably the tool body comprises a substantially rectangular body, orU-shaped body in cross-section, having a generally flat lower surfacefrom which the spacer elements project.

Preferably the tool body has an upper surface to which is connected ahandle for facilitating movement and positioning of the decking tool.

Preferably the tool body has a longitudinal centre line and the handleis offset relative to the centre line so that two like decking tools canbe stacked in back to back relationship to reduce the size of a packageof two such tools for shipment from one place to another.

Preferably the spacer elements comprise plates having a first sectionadjacent the tool body which is of a predetermined size to therebydefine the space between adjacent decking boards, the plate tapering toa free edge remote from the tool body, and the free edge being curved orflat in shape.

Preferably the spacer elements have side surfaces and at least part ofthe side surfaces are substantially parallel so that the decking boardscan abut the side surfaces which are substantially parallel to therebyspace the boards without the tendency of the boards forcing the toolaway from the boards.

Preferably the spacer elements include end spacer elements which locateadjacent outer surfaces of outermost boards of the plurality of laidboards, the end spacer elements being of greater length in a directionaway from the tool body than the remainder of spacer elements.

The invention also provides a method of laying a decking comprising thesteps of:

-   -   laying a plurality of decking boards on joists;    -   positioning a decking tool of the type described above so that        spacer elements of the decking tool locate between decking        boards of the plurality of decking boards, and front edges of        the spacer elements abut a joist to thereby space the decking        boards apart by the predetermined distance; and    -   using a front edge of the tool to form a guide to locate        fasteners through the decking boards and into the joist to        thereby secure the decking boards to the joist.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the tool is used in theabove-mentioned manner to nail the decking boards to a first of thejoists, and then the tool is moved to a second of the joists to nail theboards to a second of the joists, and then is moved to a third of thejoists to nail the boards to a third of the joists, and so on until allof the plurality of boards are nailed to the joists.

Preferably a further plurality of boards are then laid, and the tool isused in the same manner to secure those boards to the joists.

The invention in a second aspect may be said to reside in a decking toolcomprising:

-   -   a tool body for location on a plurality of laid decking boards;    -   a plurality of spacer elements extending from the body for        location between adjacent decking boards of the laid decking        boards, the spacer elements having a predetermined size to space        the boards apart from one another by a distance corresponding to        the said predetermined size, and adjacent spacer elements being        spaced from one another by a distance corresponding to the width        of the decking boards; and    -   the spacer elements having side surfaces and at least part of        the side surfaces being substantially parallel so that the        decking boards can abut the parts of the side surfaces which are        substantially parallel to thereby space the boards without the        tendency of the boards forcing the tool away from the boards.

Preferably the parts of the spacer elements which are substantiallyparallel are adjacent the tool body, the elements having free ends andthe side surfaces adjacent the free ends tapering towards one another tofacilitate entry of the spacer elements between adjacent decking boards.

Preferably the tool body has a front edge and an abutment member spacedfrom the front edge for abutting the joist to thereby locate the frontedge over the decking boards and the joist to form a guide for thelocation of fasteners to secure the decking boards to the joist.

Preferably the abutment member comprises a leading edge of at least oneof the spacer elements.

Most preferably the abutment member comprises a leading edge of aplurality of the spacer elements.

In other embodiments of the invention, the leading edge of all of thespacer elements are in alignment and spaced from the front edge of thetool body by the second predetermined distance so that the leading edgeof all of the spacer elements forms the abutment member.

Preferably the tool body comprises a substantially rectangular body, orU-shaped body in cross-section, having a generally flat lower surfacefrom which the spacer elements project.

Preferably the tool body has an upper surface to which is connected ahandle for facilitating movement and positioning of the decking tool.

Preferably the tool body has a longitudinal centre line and the handleis offset relative to the centre line so that two like decking tools canbe stacked in back to back relationship to reduce the size of a packageof two such tools for shipment from one place to another.

Preferably the spacer elements include end spacer elements which locateadjacent outer surfaces of outermost boards of the plurality of laidboards, the end spacer elements being of greater length in a directionaway from the tool body than the remainder of spacer elements.

The invention in a still further aspect may be said to reside in adecking tool comprising:

-   -   a tool body for location on a plurality of laid decking boards;    -   a detachable spacer member for connection to the tool body, the        spacer member having a plurality of spacer elements for location        between adjacent decking boards of the laid decking boards, the        spacer elements having a predetermined size to space the boards        apart from one another by a distance corresponding to said        predetermined size, and adjacent spacer elements being spaced        from one another by a predetermined distance corresponding to a        width of the decking boards; and    -   a first coupling element on the tool body and a corresponding        second coupling element on the spacer member for releasably        connecting the spacer member to the tool body to enable spacer        members to be interchanged to thereby provide different        predetermined sizes and/or different distances depending on the        desired spacing between decking boards and the width of the        decking boards which are being laid.

Preferably the tool body includes at least one opening and the spacermember comprises a rod from which the spacing elements extend, the barbeing for location on the tool body so the spacer elements can projectthrough the at least one opening.

Preferably the first coupling element comprises at least one screwthreaded stem and a nut for screw-threaded engagement with the stem, andthe second coupling element comprises at least one hole through the barso that the bar can be located on the tool body by engaging the stemwith the hole and secured in place by the nut.

Preferably the first coupling element comprises two said stems and nuts,and the second coupling element comprises two said openings.

Preferably the said stems are positioned on the tool body and the holesare positioned on the bar so that when the holes engage with the stems,the spacer elements are spaced from an edge of the tool body by apredetermined distance to form a guide for fasteners to secure thedecking boards to the joists.

Most preferably the tool body has a front edge and an abutment memberspaced from the front edge for abutting the joists to thereby locate thefront edge over the decking boards and the joists to form a guide forthe location of fasteners to secure the decking boards to the joistswhen the spacer member is attached to the tool body.

Preferably the abutment member comprises a leading edge of at least oneof the spacer elements.

Most preferably the abutment member comprises a leading edge of aplurality of the spacer elements.

In other embodiments of the invention, the leading edge of all of thespacer elements are in alignment and spaced from the front edge of thetool body by the second predetermined distance so that the leading edgeof all of the spacer elements forms the abutment member.

Preferably the tool body comprises a substantially rectangular body, orU-shaped body in cross-section, having a generally flat lower surfacefrom which the spacer elements project.

Preferably the tool body has an upper surface to which is connected ahandle for facilitating movement and positioning of the decking tool.

Preferably the tool body has a longitudinal centre line and the handleis offset relative to the centre line so that two like decking tools canbe stacked in back to back relationship to reduce the size of a packageof two such tools for shipment from one place to another.

Preferably the spacer elements include end spacer elements which locateadjacent outer surfaces of outermost boards of the plurality of laidboards, the end spacer elements being of greater length in a directionaway from the tool body than the remainder of spacer elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decking tool according to thepreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of part of the tool of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an underneath view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the manner in which a decking is laid using thetool of FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a tool body used in the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7, butwith the spacer member connected to the tool body; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a decking tool 10 is shown which comprises atool body 12. The tool body 12 is preferably rectangular inconfiguration and has a width W of about 90 mm, a thickness T of about10 mm, and a length L of about 650 mm. However, it should be understoodthat these dimensions are merely exemplary and the width, thickness andlength of the tool could be other than that described above.

The tool body 10 may be formed as a slight U-shape in cross-section.This enables the thickness of the tool body to be reduced whilemaintaining structural integrity and strength.

The tool body 12 has an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16. Thesurfaces 14 and 16 are generally flat and parallel with respect to oneanother. A handle 18 is connected to the surface 14 and is offset fromlongitudinal centre line C of the tool body 10 so that two identicaltools can be stacked back to back with their handles 18 beside oneanother to minimise the amount of space occupied by two such tools whenpackaged together for shipment from one place to another. The locationof the handle 18 on one side of the centre line C also ensures thatthere is sufficient room for a nail gun to be used with the tool, aswill be described in more detail hereinafter, and that if a workman isholding the tool by the handle, the workman's hand is well away from thenail gun and there is clear space for the nail gun to move along thetool.

The tool body 10 has a front edge 20. The tool 10 may also include aremovable plate 22 which can be connected to the front edge 20 by screws24. In an alternative embodiment, the removable plate 22 can beconnected to the tool body 10 by clamps (not shown) or any othersuitable releasable fastener. The purpose of the removable plate 22 willbe described hereinafter.

The lower surface 16 of the tool body 12 has a plurality of spacerelements 25 extending away from the surface 16. The spacer elements 25are best shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, seven spacer elements 25 are provided andwhich are spaced apart by a predetermined, preferably equal distance,which matches the width of a decking board with which the tool is to beused. For example, if the tool is to be used with decking boards ofwidth 90 mm, the spacer elements 25 are spaced apart by a distancecorresponding to that distance, plus a slight extra distance tocompensate for any expansion or slight bowing of the decking boardswhich may occur when the boards are subjected to weather prior to use toform a decking. Typically, if the tool is to be used with decking boardsof width 90 mm, the spacer elements 25 are spaced apart by a distance Dof 90.5 mm. Whilst in most applications the decking boards will all havethe same thickness, and therefore the spacer elements 25 will be spacedapart by the same distance, it is not inconceivable that deckings may beformed from boards which have regular patterns of different thicknessesand therefore, in some embodiments, the spacer elements 25 may be spacedapart by different distances depending on the thickness of boards andthe pattern which is to be produced.

As is best shown in FIG. 3, the spacer elements 25 have a first section25 a adjacent the surface 16 which defines the thickness of the spacerelements 25, and therefore the spacing between adjacent decking boardswhich are laid using the tool of the preferred embodiment. The spacerelements 25 then have a second portion 25 b which tapers towards aflattened or generally curved end 25 c which is remote from the surface16. The spacer elements 25 are preferably configured in this shape toprevent injury if the spacer elements come into contact with a personbecause they are generally blunt, and also to prevent the likelihood ofscratching of a newly laid decking by the spacer elements 25 during useof the tool 10.

As is apparent from FIG. 3 the portion 25 a of each of the spaces 25 isdefined by side walls 25 b which are substantially parallel with respectto one another. The remainder of the walls 25 c of the spacers tapertowards one another. The tapered walls 25 c enable easy insertionbetween boards whereas the parallel sides or surfaces 25 b ensure thatthe spacers properly locate between the boards to define the requiredspace. Thus, the boards can abut the surfaces 25 b and the abutment willnot tend to push the tool away from the boards ensuring that the spacers25 properly locate between the boards and properly space the boards.

The spacer elements 25 are preferably in the form of plates, as is bestshown in the side view of FIG. 4, which are generally rectangular inside view as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably the spacer elements 25 areformed integral with the body 10 so as to have maximum strength.However, in other embodiments, the spacer elements 25 could be fixed tothe body 10 by any suitable method.

In other embodiments, the spacer elements could be in the form of pinsor the like which may make it easier for the pins to locate betweendecking boards when the tool is used. The pins will preferably have aflattened or gently curved free end similar to that shown in FIG. 3.

If the tool 10 is to be used with decking boards which have a differentwidth such as 70 mm, then the elements 25 are spaced apart by a distanceD of 70.5 mm. Thus, two different tools can be provided for use with thetwo different board widths. However, in a still further embodiment, thetool body 10 can be provided with releasable spacer elements 25 andlocator points for locating the spacer elements 25 at separationdistances of 90.5 mm or 70.5 mm so that a single tool can be modifiedfor use with decking boards of thickness 90 mm or 70 mm as the case maybe.

As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4, the end spacer elements which aremarked 25′ in FIGS. 2 and 4 are of greater length in a distance awayfrom the surface 16 than the intermediate spacer elements 25. The reasonfor this is that the greater length of the spacer elements 25 provides amore secure location against a joist, and also against end deckingboards during use of the tool, to reduce the likelihood of twisting orpivotal movement of the tool relative to the boards when the tool is inuse.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the endteeth 25′ are approximately 30 mm and the length of the other teeth areabout 15 mm. However, once again, these dimensions could be varieddepending on the application to which the tool is to be put.

As is apparent from a consideration of FIGS. 4 and 5, the spacerelements 25 each have a leading edge 35 which are aligned along line Bin FIG. 5. The aligned edges 35 are spaced a predetermined distance D₁from front edge 20 of the tool body 12, which relates to the thicknessof a joist on which the decking boards are to be laid. For example, ifthe joists have a thickness of 35 mm, the spacer elements 25 arepositioned such that the edges 35 are the distance D₁ of 10 mm from thefront edge 20 of the tool body 12. In this instance, the removable plate22 is removed from the tool body so the front edge 20 forms a guide fora nail gun to nail the boards to the joists, as will be describedhereinafter.

Thus, when the tool is in use, at least some of the spacer elements 25contact the joist, and thereby locate the front edge 20 of the tool bodyover the joist to form the guide for the nail gun. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, only the longer spacer elements 25′ extenddown beneath the decking boards and abut the side of the joist. However,in other embodiments, additional ones, or all of the spacer elements 25,could contact the side of the joist to position the tool and thereforethe front edge 20 at the desired place over the joist.

Thus, the front edge 20 is located slightly towards the side of thejoist from the midpoint of the joist by a distance of about 5 mm. Thisdistance accommodates the thickness of the nail gun, so that if the nailgun is placed adjacent the edge 22, the nails are located at themidpoint of the joist so that when the nails are punched into the boardsand the joist, the nails form a straight line at the midpoint of thejoist.

If the tool is to be used with a joist of 45 mm thickness, the removableplate 22 is secured in position. The plate 22 has a thickness of about 5mm and therefore the edge of the tool body which, in this arrangement,is formed by the edge 22′ of the plate 22 is spaced a distance of 15 mmfrom the leading edges 35 of the spacer elements 25. Thus, again thisprovides spacing for the nail gun so a straight line of nails is formedat the midpoint of the joist.

In a still further embodiment, if the tool is to be used by a handymanwho intends to form the deck by using a hammer and nails rather than anail gun, a removable plate 20 having a thickness of 12.5 mm can beprovided. This will locate the edge 22 at the midpoint of a 35 mm joistso that the nails can be located against the edge 22 and hammeredthrough the boards and into the joist to thereby form a straight line ofnails at the centre line of the joist.

In still further embodiments, the tool can be supplied with a number ofdifferent sized removable plates so that an appropriate removable platecan be attached to suit the size of the joist, and also whether thefasteners are being attached by way of a nail gun, hammer or othersuitable tool.

Whilst the tool of the preferred embodiment has seven spacer elements 25defining six spaces for receiving decking boards, the number ofelements, and therefore the number of decking boards which can beaccommodated by the tool is arbitrary and could be more or less thansix. For example, in some applications, the tool could accommodate twoor three boards and in others, 10 to 15 or even more boards.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating how the tool of the preferredembodiment is used to form a decking.

The decking is formed by laying decking boards 100 on joists 200. Thejoists 200 are supported by bearers (not shown) which in turn aresupported along posts (not shown). The decking boards 100 are cut tolength as usual, so that rows of decking boards are formed, and with thejoins between decking boards of the same row being staggered withrespect to the joins of decking boards in an adjacent row. The firstdecking board 100′ is aligned using a string line or other datum and isnailed in place in the conventional way so as to provide a startingreference point. The remaining decking boards 100 are then laid out asshown in FIG. 6, and the tool 10 is positioned over the decking boards.The end spacer elements 25 abut outer edges of the outermost deckingboards 100, and the intermediate spacer elements 25 locate between theadjacent decking boards 100. The decking boards 100 are then pushedtightly together so that they sandwich the spacer elements therebetweento properly set the spacing between the boards 100 in accordance withthe size or, in other words, the thickness of the spacer elements 25.Depending on the condition of the boards 100, the tool 10 may need to beslightly forced into place by a hammer or the like to take out bows inthe boards 100 and ensure that the boards properly locate between thespacer elements 25. The tool 10 is then positioned so that the leadingedges 35 of the spacer elements 25′ abut side edge 200 a of therespective joists 200. This then locates the edge 20 of the tool 10 overthe joist 200 just short of the midpoint of the joist 200. Obviously, ifthe joist 200 is of 45 mm thickness, the removable plate 22 is used.Thus, a straight edge defined by the front edge 20 or 22′ is thereforeformed along the joist 200 for guiding a nail gun so that a row of nailscan be easily punched through the boards 100 to secure the boards 100 tothe joist 200. This is simply done by running the nail gun along theedge 20 and activating the nail as the nail gun passes over theappropriate place of each of the decking boards 100. Thus, the deckingboards 100 are all automatically spaced apart by the required distance,and a guide is used to form a guideline so that a straight line of nailscan be located through the boards and into the joist to secure thedecking boards 100 in place.

The tool 10 is then removed and replaced adjacent the next joist 200′,as shown by reference 10′ in FIG. 6, and the same sequences ofoperations occurs. Thus, once again, the boards at the joist 200′ areproperly spaced and a guide is formed for the nail gun to attach theboards to the joist 200′. This continues along each of the joists 200until all of the boards are secured in place. A new set of boards 100(not shown) are then laid on the joists 200 and the same operation isrepeated to secure those boards to the joists 200. This continues untilthe decking has been finished.

Because the tool automatically spaces the boards, thereby avoiding theneed for individual spacing by hand, and also forms a datum guide forthe nail gun, a considerable amount of time is saved in securing thedecking boards 100 to the joists 200. Thus, the time taken to completethe decking is greatly reduced.

When the tool 10 is in place, the tool can be released, thereby enablingthe workman to have two free hands for operating the nail gun or ahammer and nail in order to attach the decking boards 100 to the joists200.

In other embodiments of the invention, rather than provide, a relativelysmall handle 18, or as well as the small handle 18, a large extensionhandle can be used so that the tool 10 can be manipulated into placefrom a standing position, rather than having to kneel or bend over.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show a still further embodiment of the invention. Likereference numerals indicate like parts to those previously described.

Tool body 12 is formed from metal having a generally square U-shapedcross-section so that it includes a base 12 a and upstanding side edges12 b. A handle 18 is provided as in the earlier embodiments.

The base 12 a of the tool body 12 includes an elongate opening 300 whichis comprised of a first slot 301, a second slot 302, and a third slot303. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the slots 301, 302 and 303 extendall the way through the base 12 a. Screw threaded stems 305 are providedbetween the slots 301 and 302, and 302 and 303. The stems 305 areprovided with wing nuts 306.

As is best shown in FIG. 7, a spacer member 310 is provided forreleasable connection to the tool body 12. The spacer member 310 shownin FIG. 7 is inverted with respect to the tool body 12 so that therelevant detail can be more easily seen.

The member 310 comprises a bar 312 having the spacers 25 and is providedwith holes 311 which correspond in position with the stems 305.

The elements 25, as in the earlier embodiments, are spaced apart by apredetermined distance corresponding to the width of the decking boardwhich is to be laid. Furthermore, the spacer elements 25 have a width orthickness which corresponds to the desired spacing between boards, suchas for example, 5 mm.

A number of different spacer members 310 are intended to be provided,each having spacer elements 25 which are spaced apart by differentdistances to correspond with different width decking boards which may beused, and also may also have spacer elements 25 of different thicknessesto provide different spacings between the laid decking boards.

When it is desired to attach one of the spacer members 310 to the toolbody 12, the wing nuts 306 are removed from the screw threaded stems 305and the spacer member 310 is located in place by inverting it withrespect to the position shown in FIG. 7, and locating the stems 305through the holes 311 so that the spacer elements 25 then projectthrough the openings 301, 302 and 303, as is best shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 9.

As is best shown in FIG. 10, the stem 305 is connected to the tool body12 by locating the stem 305 through a hole 316 in the tool body 12 andthen welding the stem 305 in place in the hole 316.

Similarly, the spacer elements may be connected to the bar body 312 byproviding holes 317 in the bar body 12, and locating the spacer elements25 through the holes and welding them in place. As is shown in FIG. 10,the spacer elements 25 have side surfaces 320 which are substantiallyparallel, and which are adjacent the bar 312. This therefore providesflat and parallel surfaces which abut the decking boards 100 when thetool is located between the decking boards 100 so that the tool caneasily sit in place and when the decking boards 100 are pushed together,will not tend to be forced away from the decking boards, as would likelybe the case if the side surfaces 320 are inclined or V-shaped.

The spacer elements 25 are completed by side surfaces 321 which are atthe free end of the spacer elements 25 which taper together towards ablunt point 323. The tapering surfaces 321 facilitate insertion of thespacer elements between spacer boards 100 until the side edges 320locate between the boards to properly space the boards by the distancebetween the side surfaces 320 (which may, for example, be 5 mm). Theblunt point 323 is provided so that sharp points are not provided whichmay have the potential to cause injury.

The spacer elements are also provided with front and rear surfaces 324which extend all the way from the bar body 312 to the blunt point 323and which are parallel. One of the edges 324 will abut the joist 200 sothat one of the edges 12 b (the right hand edge in FIG. 9) will providethe front edge 20 which forms the guide for a nail gun so that fastenerscan be laid in a straight line along the centre of the joist 200.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10, the stems 305 and wing nuts306, together with the holes 311, form first and second couplingelements to releasably connect the spacer bar 310 to the tool body 12.However, in other embodiments, different forms of cooperating fastenerscould be used. Furthermore, the bar 310, rather than resting on theupper surface of the tool body 12, could be located in a recess portionin the bottom surface of the tool body 12.

The tools of the preferred embodiments therefore have the advantage thatthey enable decking boards to be laid more quickly because a number ofdecking boards can be laid and spaced at the one time rather than tohave to individually move a spacer element between adjacent deckingboards each time a decking board is secured. Furthermore, since the toolspaces a number of the decking boards, once a tool is in place, it canbe released and the workman has two free hands with which to work. Thistherefore adds to the safety of the operation and prevents thelikelihood of a user having to locate one hand in close proximity to anail gun. Furthermore, the handle being spaced away from where the nailgun would locate also improves safety. The edge 20 of the tools providesa guide to enable a straight line of nails or other fasteners to belocated in place to secure the decking boards 100 to the joists 200.Furthermore, since the spacing provided by the elements 25 is always thesame, the boards will always be laid in a square fashion. This thereforeensures that the last board laid is in fact square with the first boardlaid, and reduces the need to continuously measure and square thedecking during the formation of the decking. This further decreases thetime taken to build the decking.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise”, or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising”, is used in an inclusive sense, ie.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention mayreadily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the particularembodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

1. A decking tool comprising: a tool body for location on a plurality oflaid decking boards; a detachable spacer member for connection to thetool body, the spacer member having a plurality of spacer elements forlocation between adjacent decking boards of the laid decking boards, thespacer elements having a predetermined size to space the boards apartfrom one another by a distance corresponding to said predetermined size,and adjacent spacer elements being spaced from one another by apredetermined distance corresponding to a width of the decking boards;and a first coupling element on the tool body and a corresponding secondcoupling element on the spacer member for releasably connecting thespacer member to the tool body to enable spacer members to beinterchanged to thereby provide different predetermined sizes and/ordifferent distances depending on the desired spacing between deckingboards and the width of the decking boards which are being laid.
 2. Thetool of claim 1 wherein the tool body includes at least one opening andthe spacer member comprises a rod from which the spacing elementsextend, the bar being for location on the tool body so the spacerelements can project through the at least one opening.
 3. The tool ofclaim 1 wherein the first coupling element comprises at least one screwthreaded stem and a nut for screw-threaded engagement with the stem, andthe second coupling element comprises at least one hole through the barso that the bar can be located on the tool body by engaging the stemwith the hole and secured in place by the nut.
 4. The tool of claim 3wherein the first coupling element comprises two said stems and nuts,and the second coupling element comprises two said openings.
 5. The toolof claim 4 wherein the said stems are positioned on the tool body andthe holes are positioned on the bar so that when the holes engage withthe stems, the spacer elements are spaced from an edge of the tool bodyby a predetermined distance to form a guide for fasteners to secure thedecking boards to the joists.
 6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the toolbody has a front edge and an abutment member spaced from the front edgefor abutting the joists to thereby locate the front edge over thedecking boards and the joists to form a guide for the location offasteners to secure the decking boards to the joists when the spacermember is attached to the tool body.
 7. The tool of claim 6 wherein theabutment member comprises a leading edge of at least one of the spacerelements.
 8. The tool of claim 6 wherein the abutment member comprises aleading edge of a plurality of the spacer elements.
 9. The tool of claim6 wherein the leading edge of all of the spacer elements are inalignment and spaced from the front edge of the tool body by the secondpredetermined distance so that the leading edge of all of the spacerelements forms the abutment member.
 10. The tool of claim 1 wherein thetool body comprises a substantially rectangular body, or U-shaped bodyin cross-section, having a generally flat lower surface from which thespacer elements project.
 11. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool bodyhas an upper surface to which is connected a handle for facilitatingmovement and positioning of the decking tool.
 12. The tool of claim 1wherein the tool body has a longitudinal centre line and the handle isoffset relative to the centre line so that two like decking tools can bestacked in back to back relationship to reduce the size of a package oftwo such tools for shipment from one place to another.
 13. The tool ofclaim 1 wherein the spacer elements include end spacer elements whichlocate adjacent outer surfaces of outermost boards of the plurality oflaid boards, the end spacer elements being of greater length in adirection away from the tool body than the remainder of spacer elements.14. A decking tool comprising: a tool body for location on a pluralityof laid decking boards; a plurality of spacer elements extending fromthe body for location between adjacent decking boards of the laiddecking boards, the spacer elements having a predetermined size to spacethe boards apart from one another by a distance corresponding to thesaid predetermined size, and adjacent spacer elements being spaced fromone another by a distance corresponding to the width of the deckingboards; and the spacer elements having side surfaces and at least partof the side surfaces being substantially parallel so that the deckingboards can abut the parts of the side surfaces which are substantiallyparallel to thereby space the boards without the tendency of the boardsforcing the tool away from the boards.
 15. The tool of claim 14 whereinthe parts of the spacer elements which are substantially parallel areadjacent the tool body, the elements having free ends and the sidesurfaces adjacent the free ends tapering towards one another tofacilitate entry of the spacer elements between adjacent decking boards.16. The tool of claim 14 wherein the tool body has a front edge and anabutment member spaced from the front edge for abutting the joist tothereby locate the front edge over the decking boards and the joist toform a guide for the location of fasteners to secure the decking boardsto the joist.
 17. The tool of claim 16 wherein the abutment membercomprises a leading edge of at least one of the spacer elements.
 18. Thetool of claim 16 wherein the abutment member comprises a leading edge ofa plurality of the spacer elements.
 19. The tool of claim 16 wherein theleading edge of all of the spacer elements are in alignment and spacedfrom the front edge of the tool body by the second predetermineddistance so that the leading edge of all of the spacer elements formsthe abutment member.
 20. The tool of claim 14 wherein the tool bodycomprises a substantially rectangular body, or U-shaped body incross-section, having a generally flat lower surface from which thespacer elements project. 21-37. (canceled)